Two Central Texas teens get accepted to West Point a year after getting rejected

Only about 1,100 young men and women get into West Point every year. (Source: KXXV)

TEMPLE, TX (KXXV) -

Two Central Texas teenagers who went through high school together are now beginning their career in the military together.

Hope Moseley and Josh Schirner both got accepted to West Point.

"I was just praying for God to tell me something - like this is what you need to do, and then senior year rolled around, and I was like this is exactly what I needed to do," Hope said.

Only about 1,100 young men and women get into West Point every year.

"I felt like I knew what I wanted to do," Josh said. "I made up my mind during middle school."

Josh's mother Wilma Larsen said this is something Josh has been working on for a long time.

"In the 8th grade, they did a time capsule so all the kids that were in that grade wrote a letter to themselves and put in some pictures and paraphernalia and things like that," Larsen said. "And then during their senior year just before graduation, all the kids came back and got them and read them - and Josh's letter from 8th grade said you better be going to West Point."

And Hope's mother Jamie Moseley said that while Hope always wanted to serve her country, she wasn't always sure how she would do it.

"She has always wanted to serve her country. She didn't know how, but she loves to serve, so you could see that heart in her even at a young age - wanting to look and see the politics involved and what was going on without soldiers and praying for them," Jamie said.

And while Hope Moseley and Josh Schirner have the same destination, they traveled two different journeys.

"Her name Hope Joy. Her middle name is Joy, and in 1999, I think, is where Joy began for us just because she was always happy... ready to go and ready to do anything," Hope's dad, Stephen said.

And Hope's attachment to her father only strengthened when she became an athlete in High school.

"My dad is a coach here at CTCS, and I did all the sports possible," Hope said.

Hope was also an A+ student and took as many advanced classes as she could.

"What really sparked my attention to West Point was my family," Hope said. "My mom went to a funeral for her great grandpa and met a lot of West Point alumni, and then I started researching about West Point and thought 'this would be really awesome', but it kind of felt like a dream that was out of reach."

Josh's journey to West Point was a little different.

"He's an athletic kid - he has enjoyed playing sports. Growing up, he played soccer and baseball," Josh's dad, Chris Schirner said.

In addition to having a drive to be the best in school and the best on his team, Josh also had the drive to serve in the United States military.

Both of Josh's grandfathers served in the military, and both of his parents served in the military. Josh's dad said that since he grew up in a military family, it was naturally going to rub off.

And while his parents said they never wanted to force Josh or his twin sister into the military lifestyle, Josh said they didn't need to because they inspired him instead.

"My parents were both members of the United States military for over 20 years...and that military history in my family really inspired me," Josh said.

And while both Hope and Josh were inspired by their families to strive for West Point, that inspiration wasn't enough the first time around.

"He applied last year, and he didn't get in. He chose to go back and try again and work harder and improve his record," Larsen said.

Josh said once he got the news he didn't get in, he knew they made a mistake. He was going to prove he deserved a spot the second time around.

"I was prepared to put forward the extra effort to make my file more competitive," Josh said.

Both Josh and Hope spent a year at Greystone Preparatory School to prepare them for West Point.

"They truly prepared me for something that I didn't know how to prepare myself for,and I could not have done it without them," Hope said.

The two have gone to the same high school, received the same rejection letter from their dream school, went to the same prep school to better themselves and now they both are trying to get into West Point all over again.

Fortunately, this time it was better news for the two teenagers.

"It was awesome to be able to share that moment of 'we came from the same school, we're at the same school and we are going to the same school," Hope said.

"It's one in a million. I feel like we have both tried so hard for this and it's a story you won't necessarily hear again. Getting that appointment letter is one of the best feelings that you could ever imagine," Josh said.

And while both Josh and Hope's parents said they couldn't be more proud of what the two have accomplished, they also said the two will be missed.

"You are so loved, we are so proud. You are so loved," Jamie said.

"We believe that God has a plan for him and that is going to play out and we are going to do our best not to worry and just trust," Larsen said.

Josh and Hope graduated from Greystone Preparatory School in mid-May. The two will leave for the academy in late June.

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